Hate crimes laws are actually "thought crimes" laws
that violate the right to freedom of speech and of conscience and subject individuals
to scrutiny of their beliefs rather than focusing on a person's criminal actions.

Matt Staver/AH (July 13th, 2007)

(Washington, DC)—Liberty Counsel's founder and chairman, Matt Staver, is
alerting American citizens who value traditional morals to some underhanded action
as the Hate Crimes Amendment was attached to the Senate Defense Reauthorization
Bill, this week. The Hate Crimes measure was attached in hopes of slipping it
through, and ultimately past a veto by President Bush.

On his website, Matt Staver explains the dangers of the amendment....

Hate crimes laws are actually "thought crimes" laws that violate
the right to freedom of speech and of conscience and subject individuals to
scrutiny of their beliefs rather than focusing on a person's criminal actions.
Hate crimes laws will have a chilling effect on people who have moral or religious
objections to homosexual behavior. Evidence of a person's beliefs will be used
against any individuals who are even suspected of committing a crime.

Staver urges concerned citizens to contact their senators as soon as possible
to express their opinion on the amendment.